Honda NSX to spearhead RWD model lineup
Apr 17th 2008 11:32AM by Damon Lavrinc
By most accounts, Honda originally planned to show off the next generation NSX to the seething throngs at last year's Tokyo Motor Show. But due to the less-than-positive reception the Advanced Sports Car concept garnered at the Detroit show, Honda's designers headed back to the drawing board to redesign the front clip housing the 550 hp, 4.5-liter V10.
Now, Autocar has gotten word from a Honda insider that the NSX is bound for the 2009 Tokyo show, sporting a new front end that "has Chevrolet Corvette undertones" and is slated to for production in the fall of 2010.
The new NSX will supposedly kick off Honda's first serious attempt at producing rear-wheel-drive vehicles to rival BMW, Mercedes, Lexus and Infiniti, including new platforms that will underpin Acura's larger sedan offerings and an S2000-based Acura sports car that takes aim at the Mercedes SLK. The launch of Acura's 7-series fighter isn't due to make an appearance until 2015. For Honda' sake, let's hope they can expedite development to make it happen around the turn of the decade.
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/17/honda-nsx-to-spearhead-rwd-model-lineup/
Honda's rear-wheel drive future
Honda’s new NSX is finished and will spearhead the European launch of the Acura brand when it goes into production in autumn 2010.
That’s the word from Autocar’s sources inside Honda Japan, who have confirmed that the front-engined V10 supercar will be unveiled at next year’s Tokyo show and will be followed by a new range of rear-wheel-drive Acura sports saloons.
We can also reveal that the controversial looks of the NSX concept model have been overhauled since its debut at the 2007 Detroit show. The long nose has been completely redesigned.
“It now has Chevrolet Corvette overtones,” said our source. But the new NSX will still be powered by a 4.5-litre V10 engine, delivering around 550bhp and offering racecar-like acoustics.
The NSX was meant to be unveiled at last year’s Tokyo motor show, but Honda bosses postponed its launch because they were unhappy with the car’s final design.
Honda has aspirations to compete with Lexus, Infiniti and BMW in Europe, and Acura is the obvious platform from which to launch that assault.
Insiders tell us that there will be a range of Acura models alongside the NSX. Honda will switch to rear-wheel drive for its large saloons and develop a range of more powerful engines.
The first new saloon will be a BMW 7-series rival, scheduled for launch in 2015.
Another new model could be an S2000-based Acura sports car, which would replace the ageing Honda two-seater, taking it more upmarket to rival the Mercedes SLK.
If Acura is to have an impact on the European market, it will require a huge investment from its parent company, but the brand needs sales here to succeed.
http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/232305/
Apr 17th 2008 11:32AM by Damon Lavrinc
By most accounts, Honda originally planned to show off the next generation NSX to the seething throngs at last year's Tokyo Motor Show. But due to the less-than-positive reception the Advanced Sports Car concept garnered at the Detroit show, Honda's designers headed back to the drawing board to redesign the front clip housing the 550 hp, 4.5-liter V10.
Now, Autocar has gotten word from a Honda insider that the NSX is bound for the 2009 Tokyo show, sporting a new front end that "has Chevrolet Corvette undertones" and is slated to for production in the fall of 2010.
The new NSX will supposedly kick off Honda's first serious attempt at producing rear-wheel-drive vehicles to rival BMW, Mercedes, Lexus and Infiniti, including new platforms that will underpin Acura's larger sedan offerings and an S2000-based Acura sports car that takes aim at the Mercedes SLK. The launch of Acura's 7-series fighter isn't due to make an appearance until 2015. For Honda' sake, let's hope they can expedite development to make it happen around the turn of the decade.
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/17/honda-nsx-to-spearhead-rwd-model-lineup/
Honda's rear-wheel drive future
Honda’s new NSX is finished and will spearhead the European launch of the Acura brand when it goes into production in autumn 2010.
That’s the word from Autocar’s sources inside Honda Japan, who have confirmed that the front-engined V10 supercar will be unveiled at next year’s Tokyo show and will be followed by a new range of rear-wheel-drive Acura sports saloons.
We can also reveal that the controversial looks of the NSX concept model have been overhauled since its debut at the 2007 Detroit show. The long nose has been completely redesigned.
“It now has Chevrolet Corvette overtones,” said our source. But the new NSX will still be powered by a 4.5-litre V10 engine, delivering around 550bhp and offering racecar-like acoustics.
The NSX was meant to be unveiled at last year’s Tokyo motor show, but Honda bosses postponed its launch because they were unhappy with the car’s final design.
Honda has aspirations to compete with Lexus, Infiniti and BMW in Europe, and Acura is the obvious platform from which to launch that assault.
Insiders tell us that there will be a range of Acura models alongside the NSX. Honda will switch to rear-wheel drive for its large saloons and develop a range of more powerful engines.
The first new saloon will be a BMW 7-series rival, scheduled for launch in 2015.
Another new model could be an S2000-based Acura sports car, which would replace the ageing Honda two-seater, taking it more upmarket to rival the Mercedes SLK.
If Acura is to have an impact on the European market, it will require a huge investment from its parent company, but the brand needs sales here to succeed.
http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/232305/
